CHAPTER 5: Platform 9¾
Harry woke as Hermione shook him. She pointed at the clock which told Harry they were behind schedule. He got up quickly and went to the bathroom to wash his face as Hermione moved her things to the car. Harry rushed back to his bedroom to change out of his pajamas and slipped into some more of Dudley's clothes. He carried his trunk down the spiral staircase to the car in the driveway. The streetlamps were still lit when he stepped out into the cold air. The sky was turning a dark grey as the sun approached the horizon. Hermione came out of the house and handed Harry a small muffin wrapped with a napkin.
"We're going to eat in the car. Have you got all your things?" asked Hermione, taking a bite into her muffin.
Harry nodded and stepped into the car. Hermione started the car up and waved up at her mother and father's window. They have woken up to say farewell to their daughter and Harry.
"Are they going to be at Diagon alley this year? " asked Harry.
"Yes. I'll send them a letter letting them know when I'll be there. - "
Hermione then reversed out of the driveway and started their journey to Ron's house. Harry never got a chance to observe Hermione's car. The inside was more luxurious than he'd remembered. The seats were made of black leather which embraced Harry's body as he lowered his back into the chair. The outer shell of the car was a silver that reminded Harry of unicorn's blood. He was surprised at how well Hermione could drive.
"So Hermione, how did you ever convince your parents to let you drive around? - "
"Well, it's simple actually Harry, they don't want to meddle into wizarding affairs. Well of course if they don't have to they won't, and they try to avoid it. But stuff like showing up at Diagon Alley is nothing to them, "Hermione smiled at Harry.
The trip didn't take too long. Around 7 am they reached the village which if they passed would reach the Weaslys. The town looked sleepy. The houses seemed to cast a dim shadow on the road. They slipped through the town and saw the Weaslys house in the far distance. The sky was now getting light. The clouds a pale orange. Harry began to doze off when Hermione shook him.
"We are Here Harry " Hermione started to get out of the car. Harry got up and watched Hermione knock at the front door. A jolly as usual Mrs. Weasly opened the door and gave Hermione a hug. Hermione looked back at Harry and motioned for him to come. Harry slowly getting out of the car, still sleepy, walked up to Mrs. Weasly as she hugged him also.
"Ron is still asleep, would you two like some breakfast as you wait?" asked Mrs. Weasly with a slight twinkle in her eye. They both nodded and thanked her as they headed back to the car and brought their trunks in. Hermione looked as if she would fall over from exhaustion. Harry could smell bacon, eggs, and something of an odd smell coming from the kitchen. Harry, having only eaten a small muffin hours before, was now starving.
"Hermione, are you okay? You look as if you're going to collapse," Harry asked, worried.
"I'm fine, I just need a bit more rest after breakfast, that's all " Hermione devoured her breakfast after Mrs. Weasly set it down for her. She quickly thanked Mrs. Weasly and asked her if she could take a nap on the couch. Mrs. Weasly couldn't agree more and set off to get some blankets and pillows for Hermione. Harry, knowing Ron wouldn't get up for a while, told Mrs. Weasly he was going to go for a walk until Ron woke up. She told him to be back by 9 which gave Harry 45 minutes to stroll in the morning air.
Harry started to walk north of the Weasly's house. He stopped at the paddock where Harry had once played quidditch with George, Fred, and Ron. He couldn't help but wonder how he would be playing quidditch without a broom. He thought of the fact of using an old comet 6 and shuddered. He sat down under a tree and started thinking of the many things that have happened in the past few days. He slowly drifted off to sleep.
"Harry, don't be silly," Hermione said with a huge grin. "We were destined to be together Harry ". Harry looked at Hermione with a daze. He shot a look over at Ron and noticed his hurt expression.
"Y-y-you and Hermione? Were betrothed?" Ron asked with a jealous look upon his scarlet face. Harry tried to explain that he and Hermione were not going to get married ever before Ron ran out of the room, but it was too late. Harry looked over at Hermione who was now enraged.
"WHY DID YOU TELL HIM," Shouted Hermione. Harry was a bit surprised for he didn't tell Ron anything. Hermione stomped over to Harry and slapped him across the face. Harry, stunned at what just happened, griped his face and stared at Hermione.
"BUT I didn't tell him, YOU DID!" Harry retorted with anger. Hermione leapt at Harry. But to Harry's surprise, instead of a punch or a kick, Hermione embraced Harry.
"Oh, Harry, I love you so much. I just didn't want our secret to get out, so when's our wedding day," Hermione said with a seductive tone in her voice.
"Hermione, I love you too, I didn't know you felt that way. We should get married as soon as possible -" Just then Ron walked into the room with tears streaming down his face. He sprinted at Harry and started pummeling him.
"You'll pay POTTER!" Ron screamed with anger.
"NO RON, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Harry roared as he awoke. Harry sat confused looking around. He felt a bit uncomfortable at the thought of his dream. "Was I secretly hoping that this would happen?," he asked himself. He looked at his watch, got up and rushed back to the Weasly's.
He could see Mrs. Weasly looking out the front door for him... When she saw Harry running toward the house she let out a sigh of relief and walked up to him.
"Where have you gone? You had me so worried," Mrs. Weasly said leading him back into the house. Harry apologized and walked into the house to see that Ron, Fred, George, Percy, Ginny, and Mr. Weasly sitting at the dining table waiting for him. He looked over at the couch and saw that Hermione was still asleep. He took a seat quietly next to Ron.
"So what's this business all about?," whispered Ron. He could see that the entire Weasly family was staring at him with anxious looks.
"Unfortunately it's still a mystery to me also. All I know is that we.you, Hermione, and I are suppose to meet Dumbledore at platform 9¾ tomorrow."-
The Weaslys started looking around at one another and shrugged. Harry remembered Dumbledore's instructions for him to send him an owl upon arrival at the Weaslys. He looked around the room for Hedwig and saw her perched on the window sill.
"Ron, you happen to have any parchment paper?," asked Harry.
Ron nodded and headed up the stairs. The Weaslys followed their every movement like a hawk. Ron returned a minute later with parchment and a quill. Harry thanked Ron and placed the parchment on the table and picked up the quill.
-Dumbledore. I have arrived at the Weaslys safely. I have informed Ron and his family about your instructions. I'll see you at the platform tomorrow morning.
Harry-
Harry explained to the Weaslys as he went about it. He walked over to Hedwig, stroked her and tied the letter to her leg and she was off. After completing this next step Harry looked forward to the usual Weasly dinners and activities. He joined Ron once again at the table and smiled to reassure them that everything was fine.
Night fell as Mrs. Weasly prepared supper. Fred and George were practicing their aparating while Percy working in his room. Ron, Harry and Hermione were discussing the possibilities of what Dumbledore might want with them.
"You reckon it's about Voldemorts return," asked Ron. Hermione and Harry looked down at their laps in deep thought. Whatever the problem was Harry definitely didn't want it to be Voldemort although his mind was almost sure it was. Hermione on the other hand thought about their previous years at Hogwarts.
"I'm almost sure it has something to do with Voldemorts return but I just don't know what Dumbledore might want with us. I suppose it might be the fact that Harry has faced him many times in triumph. Perhaps Dumbledore is seeking help," Hermione reasoned.
It sounded reasonable but Harry still didn't think it was that simple. To have Dumbledore personally address a letter to them must mean something big is going to happen. Their train of thought was shattered by the calls of Mrs. Weasly to come for supper. Thundering footsteps filled the house as the family arrived to the dining table from all directions. Harry, realizing that thinking about the matter would not help, relaxed and tried to take his mind off things and enjoy supper. The meal came and went. Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to sleep early so they could get an early start the next morning. Harry double checked his trunk to ensure all his books, robes, parchment, and quills were still there. After repacking his trunk Harry lugged himself up to Ron's room for the night. When he entered the room, Ron was already asleep. Harry made his way past Ron's bed to the mattress Mrs. Weasly had laid out for him earlier that day. He threw himself onto the bed silently as hundreds of thoughts ran through his mind. He clung onto his last thought as he drifted off to sleep.
The sun rose, as the Weasly house became alive. Harry, Ron and Hermione loaded their trunks into Hermione's car. Mr. Weasly agreed to drive them to Kings Cross so he could keep the car safe back at the burrow. After one of Mrs. Weasly's famous breakfast the three headed out to the car in silence. In a matter of moments the mystery is going to unravel. The drive to Kings Cross was long as ever. The car kept it's silence as Harry, Ron and Hermione worried of what lay ahead of them. Mr. Weasly made brief attempts at forceful conversation, but couldn't break the distraction. They pulled into Kings Cross and unloaded their trunks onto 3 separate trolleys. Mr. Weasly followed as far as the entrance to the platform and bid all three of them farewell and good luck. They casually leaned against the entrance and fell through one by one waving to Mr. Weasly.
"I don't understand," said Harry. "The train doesn't function till September first." Hermione and Ron both looked at the empty train tracks puzzled as to their business at the platform.
"I don't see Dumbledore anywhere," Hermione said softly looking around at the deserted platform. They decided to sit and wait for Dumbledore. They arrived at least ten minutes earlier than scheduled. While they were waiting, Harry heard a sound coming from the tracks. Harry got up and headed in the direction of which the sound emitted. Just then a large portal opened and sucked Harry in. Hermione and Ron ran to the portal but it closed upon their arrival.
"What in the world just happened," screamed Hermione. She stared wide eyed at the spot Harry had been sucked in.
"Whatever it was I don't think." Ron was interrupted by a low hissing noise coming from the opposite end of the platform.
"Hermione, do you hear that noise," asked Ron. Ron started walking toward the northern edge of the platform. Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"Hear what?"-
"That hissing. Hold on I'll go check what it is," said Ron. Hermione had no idea at what he was talking about. But Ron continued to walk toward the noise slowly. As he came closer to the hissing noise he could see a ripple in the air. He reached his hand out and touched the ripple. The ripple suddenly turned into a large portal and sucked Ron in.
" Hermi."-
Hermione slowly turned around. She was now alone at the platform.not knowing what had just happened. She ran to the spot where Ron was standing and examined the tiny particles of stardust left behind. A low grunt broke the silence as Hermione whipped her head around. The platform remained deserted but another low grunt sounded only this time louder and closer. Hermione stood up and started running toward her trunk in search for her wand. But to her surprise she ran right into a wall. She got up and stuck her hand out. An invisible wall had stopped her from running to her trunk. She used her hand to follow the wall that formed an invisible maze. As she neared her trunk a very loud grunt came from behind her. She turned around as a big portal formed. She started running but the strength of the portal sucked her in. The deserted platform stood still for a moments time when the appearance of Dumbledore and Professor McGonogall shook the silence.
"Albus do you really think this is a good idea? They are only children."-
"Minerva, I knew this day would come from the moment I saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron. This is their destiny. I know what I'm doing, trust me."-
Harry woke as Hermione shook him. She pointed at the clock which told Harry they were behind schedule. He got up quickly and went to the bathroom to wash his face as Hermione moved her things to the car. Harry rushed back to his bedroom to change out of his pajamas and slipped into some more of Dudley's clothes. He carried his trunk down the spiral staircase to the car in the driveway. The streetlamps were still lit when he stepped out into the cold air. The sky was turning a dark grey as the sun approached the horizon. Hermione came out of the house and handed Harry a small muffin wrapped with a napkin.
"We're going to eat in the car. Have you got all your things?" asked Hermione, taking a bite into her muffin.
Harry nodded and stepped into the car. Hermione started the car up and waved up at her mother and father's window. They have woken up to say farewell to their daughter and Harry.
"Are they going to be at Diagon alley this year? " asked Harry.
"Yes. I'll send them a letter letting them know when I'll be there. - "
Hermione then reversed out of the driveway and started their journey to Ron's house. Harry never got a chance to observe Hermione's car. The inside was more luxurious than he'd remembered. The seats were made of black leather which embraced Harry's body as he lowered his back into the chair. The outer shell of the car was a silver that reminded Harry of unicorn's blood. He was surprised at how well Hermione could drive.
"So Hermione, how did you ever convince your parents to let you drive around? - "
"Well, it's simple actually Harry, they don't want to meddle into wizarding affairs. Well of course if they don't have to they won't, and they try to avoid it. But stuff like showing up at Diagon Alley is nothing to them, "Hermione smiled at Harry.
The trip didn't take too long. Around 7 am they reached the village which if they passed would reach the Weaslys. The town looked sleepy. The houses seemed to cast a dim shadow on the road. They slipped through the town and saw the Weaslys house in the far distance. The sky was now getting light. The clouds a pale orange. Harry began to doze off when Hermione shook him.
"We are Here Harry " Hermione started to get out of the car. Harry got up and watched Hermione knock at the front door. A jolly as usual Mrs. Weasly opened the door and gave Hermione a hug. Hermione looked back at Harry and motioned for him to come. Harry slowly getting out of the car, still sleepy, walked up to Mrs. Weasly as she hugged him also.
"Ron is still asleep, would you two like some breakfast as you wait?" asked Mrs. Weasly with a slight twinkle in her eye. They both nodded and thanked her as they headed back to the car and brought their trunks in. Hermione looked as if she would fall over from exhaustion. Harry could smell bacon, eggs, and something of an odd smell coming from the kitchen. Harry, having only eaten a small muffin hours before, was now starving.
"Hermione, are you okay? You look as if you're going to collapse," Harry asked, worried.
"I'm fine, I just need a bit more rest after breakfast, that's all " Hermione devoured her breakfast after Mrs. Weasly set it down for her. She quickly thanked Mrs. Weasly and asked her if she could take a nap on the couch. Mrs. Weasly couldn't agree more and set off to get some blankets and pillows for Hermione. Harry, knowing Ron wouldn't get up for a while, told Mrs. Weasly he was going to go for a walk until Ron woke up. She told him to be back by 9 which gave Harry 45 minutes to stroll in the morning air.
Harry started to walk north of the Weasly's house. He stopped at the paddock where Harry had once played quidditch with George, Fred, and Ron. He couldn't help but wonder how he would be playing quidditch without a broom. He thought of the fact of using an old comet 6 and shuddered. He sat down under a tree and started thinking of the many things that have happened in the past few days. He slowly drifted off to sleep.
"Harry, don't be silly," Hermione said with a huge grin. "We were destined to be together Harry ". Harry looked at Hermione with a daze. He shot a look over at Ron and noticed his hurt expression.
"Y-y-you and Hermione? Were betrothed?" Ron asked with a jealous look upon his scarlet face. Harry tried to explain that he and Hermione were not going to get married ever before Ron ran out of the room, but it was too late. Harry looked over at Hermione who was now enraged.
"WHY DID YOU TELL HIM," Shouted Hermione. Harry was a bit surprised for he didn't tell Ron anything. Hermione stomped over to Harry and slapped him across the face. Harry, stunned at what just happened, griped his face and stared at Hermione.
"BUT I didn't tell him, YOU DID!" Harry retorted with anger. Hermione leapt at Harry. But to Harry's surprise, instead of a punch or a kick, Hermione embraced Harry.
"Oh, Harry, I love you so much. I just didn't want our secret to get out, so when's our wedding day," Hermione said with a seductive tone in her voice.
"Hermione, I love you too, I didn't know you felt that way. We should get married as soon as possible -" Just then Ron walked into the room with tears streaming down his face. He sprinted at Harry and started pummeling him.
"You'll pay POTTER!" Ron screamed with anger.
"NO RON, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Harry roared as he awoke. Harry sat confused looking around. He felt a bit uncomfortable at the thought of his dream. "Was I secretly hoping that this would happen?," he asked himself. He looked at his watch, got up and rushed back to the Weasly's.
He could see Mrs. Weasly looking out the front door for him... When she saw Harry running toward the house she let out a sigh of relief and walked up to him.
"Where have you gone? You had me so worried," Mrs. Weasly said leading him back into the house. Harry apologized and walked into the house to see that Ron, Fred, George, Percy, Ginny, and Mr. Weasly sitting at the dining table waiting for him. He looked over at the couch and saw that Hermione was still asleep. He took a seat quietly next to Ron.
"So what's this business all about?," whispered Ron. He could see that the entire Weasly family was staring at him with anxious looks.
"Unfortunately it's still a mystery to me also. All I know is that we.you, Hermione, and I are suppose to meet Dumbledore at platform 9¾ tomorrow."-
The Weaslys started looking around at one another and shrugged. Harry remembered Dumbledore's instructions for him to send him an owl upon arrival at the Weaslys. He looked around the room for Hedwig and saw her perched on the window sill.
"Ron, you happen to have any parchment paper?," asked Harry.
Ron nodded and headed up the stairs. The Weaslys followed their every movement like a hawk. Ron returned a minute later with parchment and a quill. Harry thanked Ron and placed the parchment on the table and picked up the quill.
-Dumbledore. I have arrived at the Weaslys safely. I have informed Ron and his family about your instructions. I'll see you at the platform tomorrow morning.
Harry-
Harry explained to the Weaslys as he went about it. He walked over to Hedwig, stroked her and tied the letter to her leg and she was off. After completing this next step Harry looked forward to the usual Weasly dinners and activities. He joined Ron once again at the table and smiled to reassure them that everything was fine.
Night fell as Mrs. Weasly prepared supper. Fred and George were practicing their aparating while Percy working in his room. Ron, Harry and Hermione were discussing the possibilities of what Dumbledore might want with them.
"You reckon it's about Voldemorts return," asked Ron. Hermione and Harry looked down at their laps in deep thought. Whatever the problem was Harry definitely didn't want it to be Voldemort although his mind was almost sure it was. Hermione on the other hand thought about their previous years at Hogwarts.
"I'm almost sure it has something to do with Voldemorts return but I just don't know what Dumbledore might want with us. I suppose it might be the fact that Harry has faced him many times in triumph. Perhaps Dumbledore is seeking help," Hermione reasoned.
It sounded reasonable but Harry still didn't think it was that simple. To have Dumbledore personally address a letter to them must mean something big is going to happen. Their train of thought was shattered by the calls of Mrs. Weasly to come for supper. Thundering footsteps filled the house as the family arrived to the dining table from all directions. Harry, realizing that thinking about the matter would not help, relaxed and tried to take his mind off things and enjoy supper. The meal came and went. Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to sleep early so they could get an early start the next morning. Harry double checked his trunk to ensure all his books, robes, parchment, and quills were still there. After repacking his trunk Harry lugged himself up to Ron's room for the night. When he entered the room, Ron was already asleep. Harry made his way past Ron's bed to the mattress Mrs. Weasly had laid out for him earlier that day. He threw himself onto the bed silently as hundreds of thoughts ran through his mind. He clung onto his last thought as he drifted off to sleep.
The sun rose, as the Weasly house became alive. Harry, Ron and Hermione loaded their trunks into Hermione's car. Mr. Weasly agreed to drive them to Kings Cross so he could keep the car safe back at the burrow. After one of Mrs. Weasly's famous breakfast the three headed out to the car in silence. In a matter of moments the mystery is going to unravel. The drive to Kings Cross was long as ever. The car kept it's silence as Harry, Ron and Hermione worried of what lay ahead of them. Mr. Weasly made brief attempts at forceful conversation, but couldn't break the distraction. They pulled into Kings Cross and unloaded their trunks onto 3 separate trolleys. Mr. Weasly followed as far as the entrance to the platform and bid all three of them farewell and good luck. They casually leaned against the entrance and fell through one by one waving to Mr. Weasly.
"I don't understand," said Harry. "The train doesn't function till September first." Hermione and Ron both looked at the empty train tracks puzzled as to their business at the platform.
"I don't see Dumbledore anywhere," Hermione said softly looking around at the deserted platform. They decided to sit and wait for Dumbledore. They arrived at least ten minutes earlier than scheduled. While they were waiting, Harry heard a sound coming from the tracks. Harry got up and headed in the direction of which the sound emitted. Just then a large portal opened and sucked Harry in. Hermione and Ron ran to the portal but it closed upon their arrival.
"What in the world just happened," screamed Hermione. She stared wide eyed at the spot Harry had been sucked in.
"Whatever it was I don't think." Ron was interrupted by a low hissing noise coming from the opposite end of the platform.
"Hermione, do you hear that noise," asked Ron. Ron started walking toward the northern edge of the platform. Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"Hear what?"-
"That hissing. Hold on I'll go check what it is," said Ron. Hermione had no idea at what he was talking about. But Ron continued to walk toward the noise slowly. As he came closer to the hissing noise he could see a ripple in the air. He reached his hand out and touched the ripple. The ripple suddenly turned into a large portal and sucked Ron in.
" Hermi."-
Hermione slowly turned around. She was now alone at the platform.not knowing what had just happened. She ran to the spot where Ron was standing and examined the tiny particles of stardust left behind. A low grunt broke the silence as Hermione whipped her head around. The platform remained deserted but another low grunt sounded only this time louder and closer. Hermione stood up and started running toward her trunk in search for her wand. But to her surprise she ran right into a wall. She got up and stuck her hand out. An invisible wall had stopped her from running to her trunk. She used her hand to follow the wall that formed an invisible maze. As she neared her trunk a very loud grunt came from behind her. She turned around as a big portal formed. She started running but the strength of the portal sucked her in. The deserted platform stood still for a moments time when the appearance of Dumbledore and Professor McGonogall shook the silence.
"Albus do you really think this is a good idea? They are only children."-
"Minerva, I knew this day would come from the moment I saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron. This is their destiny. I know what I'm doing, trust me."-